Environmental EducationThe following areas provide educational programs held at their outdoor facilities.https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/programs-lessons/open-space/education/environmental-education-programshttps://www.cabq.gov/@@site-logo/seal-small.png

Environmental Education

The following areas provide educational programs held at their outdoor facilities.

Open Space Visitor Center

The purpose of the Open Space Division is to acquire, protect, maintain and manage significant natural landscapes and cultural resources for present and future generations. The Open Space Visitor Center is a premier facility that promotes the Open Space mission. Here, you can gain an understanding of the importance of protecting public land for the enjoyment of citizens, and for protecting the environment for wildlife and for our children and grandchildren. The Visitor Center also promotes the cultural significance and history of traditional communities in the region through interpretive displays.

Programs Available

Bosque Hike: Guided walk into the Bosque starting along the ditch system located in front of the Visitor Center. Call (505) 897-8831 for information

Guided Educational Programs. Themes vary.

Tours of the Facility. The Visitor Center is available year round for group tours and has a number of indoor interpretive displays. Call ahead to schedule a tour.

Facilities

Meeting room, art gallery, interpretive courtyard, wildlife fields. Reservation fees for the meeting room and other facilities may apply depending on the event.

Programs Available

Sunset Series and Sunday HikesChats are held Saturday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. at the Elena Gallegos amphitheater. Sunday hikes start at 9 a.m. from the Pino Trailhead. Programs run from mid-May to mid-September. Topics vary weekly. Call for schedule.

Service Learning ProjectsIncludes trail maintenance and trash clean-up, while learning about the environment.

Facilities

Paved parking area, picnic tables, restrooms (vault toilet), group reservation picnic areas. Teachers may reserve a picnic area for their school groups.

Special Events

National Trails Day, Spring Foothills Clean-Up.

Location

East of Tramway Blvd., north of Academy Road, on Simms Park Road.

Fees

$1 per vehicle (weekdays)$2 per vehicle (weekends)Fees waived for scheduled school groups.

Open Space Farmlands: Los Poblanos Field

Learn about the importance of maintaining agricultural traditions in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

Programs Available

Guided Education Programs

Community Gardening ProgramsCall Rio Grande Community Farms at (505) 345-4580 for more information.

Facilities

Special Events

Location

West on Montano Road from Fourth Street, turn north on Tierra Viva Road.

Petroglyph National Monument: Boca Negra Canyon

Step back in time by exploring the West Mesa's geologic and cultural history.

Programs Available

Interpretive TalksIntroduces the geologic forces that shaped the West Mesa escarpment and how Puebloan, Spanish, and Anglo Cultures have survived here. Call the National Park Service at (505) 899-0205 to schedule a program.

Junior Ranger ProgramFor children grades 1-5 visiting the park with their families; upon completion, children receive a badge and certificate. Available at the Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center or call (505) 899-0205.

Service Learning ProjectsIncludes trash pick-up and trail-work. Call Open Space at (505) 452-5200 to schedule.

Location

Fees

Other Open Space Education Opportunities

The Open Space Division conducts teacher workshops, as well as Project Archeology training and Albuquerque Environmental Story workshops. Please call our office at (505) 452-5200 for the latest schedule of events.

Many of our education programs are conducted by C.I.O.T.E. (Community Interpreters of the Environment) volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a C.I.O.T.E., please call the Open Space Division Environmental Education Coordinator at (505) 452-5200.